eco-friendly

21 Children’s Picture Books for Exploring Eco-Friendly Actions

by Marsha Rakestraw Earth Day may be every day, but our relationship to the natural world often gets a little extra attention in April. Children are hungry to connect with their world and learn what they can do to make a positive difference. Check out these 21 children’s books that help inspire a desire to…

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Palm Oil

Palm Oil

Find suggested books, websites, articles, videos, lesson plans, activities and other resources on issues related to palm oil to help you learn and/or teach about this topic.

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Ocean Preservation

Oceans and Ocean Preservation

Find suggested books, websites, articles, videos, lesson plans, activities and other resources on oceans and ocean preservation issues to help you learn and/or teach about this topic.

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Deforestation

Forests and Deforestation

Resources (books, lesson plans, videos, articles and more) to help you teach and/or learn about the issues related to our forests, deforestation, and solutions for reforesting and protecting our lands.

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gardening

12 Children’s Picture Books About the Power of Gardens

by Marsha Rakestraw “The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden.” ~ Thomas More Gardens are full of life, diversity, and wonder. They feed us physically and emotionally. They can be made of plants, rocks, or other materials. And their seeds can blossom into food, or memory, or hope. Gardens of all sorts…

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school garden

8 Resources for Greening Your Schoolyard

by Marsha Rakestraw You only have to watch kids in a garden or park to know that we humans have a special connection with the natural world. Studies have shown that we benefit physically, emotionally, and mentally (including academically) from our interactions with nature. Yet except for a hemmed-in tree here or there, or a…

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beauty in nature

10 Reasons to Take Your Students Outside (& the Research to Back It Up)

A lot of teachers want to offer their students experiences in the natural world, but because of strictures on curriculum, the prevalence of standardized tests, and other challenges, encounters with nature can fall into the category of “nice but not necessary.” But we know from a plethora of research that we humans desperately need that…

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children & nature

Why We Need Humane Education: Study Shows Children Don’t Get Outside Playtime

Research has repeatedly shown that we need regular exposure to the natural world. We’re happier and healthier when we’re connected to the natural world. Studies also show improved cognitive function and stress management and lower obesity levels in children who get time outside. But according to a recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics…

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